Paula Bosco Damon is a national award-winning syndicated columnist.Her whimsical non-fiction stories breathe life into mundane day-to-day experiences as she deconstructs life’s complex life-altering moments into a language and narrative with universal appeal. Her style has been described as thought-provoking, spiritual and entertaining.
To contact the writer, comment on this blog, email her at boscodamonpaula@gmail, and find her on Facebook.

Monday, December 28, 2009

How to W.R.A.K. up random acts of kindness

When I first learned about the W.R.A.K. Coffee Club, I whined a bit. You see, W.R.A.K., A.K.A.Weekly Random Acts of Kindness, is a ministry of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church that meets weekly at a Nebraska City coffee shop. This made it almost impossible for me to participate in person.

So the innovator of the group, Vanessa Bremer, Director of Youth and Family Ministry at the church, created a Facebook page, so anyone, anywhere can join. "W.R.A.K.," Bremer explains, "is a flower that sprouted from two church outreach programs: ARK Almighty and Pay It Forward."

She started W.R.A.K. this past fall to provide opportunities to practice kindness, develop faith and create Christian fellowship and community.

Each week, local participants meet at the coffee shop to pick up a new challenge and share their W.R.A.K. stories. Those of us who are at a distance get the challenges on Facebook or by email.

Each new challenge and correlating Bible verse is increasingly more involved, both spiritually and personally. Participants are not required to finish a challenge before delving into the next one.

"Some are easier to complete than others," Bremer admits.

One challenge was based on Proverbs 11:25 "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." We were to make an effort to allow others go first through the door, in conversation, while waiting in line and so on.Another was to treat others when we treating ourselves. We were to buy an extra coffee, candy bar, apple or soda and offer it to someone. else This one was rooted in Hebrews 13:16, which states "And do not forget to do good and to share with others...."

What surprised me the most about W.R.A.K. is that the weekly tasks are becoming more natural and routine in my daily life.

W.R.A.K. now has more than 75 participants from across the U.S. and continues to grow each week.

If you want to "W.R.A.K." up some random acts of kindness, become a friend on Facebook or email Bremer at vanessafelcyouth@yahoo.com to start receiving the weekly challenges by email.

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About Me

Paula Bosco Damon is an award-winning writer whose works have won numerous honors, including First-Place in National Federation of Press Women, South Dakota Press Women and Iowa Press Women writing competitions.
In the 2009, 2010 and 2011 South Dakota Press Women Communications Contests, Paula has earned eight first-place awards.
In 2011, the writer was ranked third among columnists nationwide for her creative non-fiction in the National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest.
Her stories breathe life into mundane day-to-day experiences and skillfully deconstructs some of the most complex life-altering moments into a language and narrative with universal appeal. Her work has been described as thought-provoking, whimsical, comical, lyrical and entertaining.
Paula writes a weekly column for the Vermillion Plain Talk and the Carroll Times Herald titled "My Story. Your Story."
A popular keynote speaker, she has conducted readings of her work to audiences in New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Correspond with the writer at boscodamonpaula@gmail.